Personal experiences with the Nikon D3100/Nikon D5100?

I wanna get a DSLR and have decided on one of these depending how much my dad is willing to spend
how good are these cameras from your personal experiences. Are there any particular problems or really good things about these cameras.

If you can stretch to the 5100, do.

I was thinking of getting one as a 2nd body to go with my d7000 because it has the same sensor.
It also has a much better LCD screen than the 3100 at 920k ( d3100 230k ), inc vari angle.

Not heard of any problems myself with either. If its half as good as the d7000 it will be awesome.

Get the 18-200mm lens, too if you can. You can get pics like this.

I would recommend the D3100 over the Nikon D5100.

While I'm a Nikon guy, there's a specific reason why I do not recommend the D5100.

When you look at the Nikon DSLR lineup, the progression is D3100, D5100, D7000, etc.

Within this lineage, the D3100 and D5100 are both entry-level cameras, and the D7000 starts at the advanced amateur level.

While some make the claim that Nikon's entry level cameras (D3100 and D5100) are "stripped down" or "brain dead", I will not go so far as say that. However, you must realize that these two cameras lack two very important features.

1. The entry level cameras lack in-camera focus motors. This means that the cameras can only autofocus by using AF-S lenses. They can't autofocus AF lenses. As a result, when it comes to selecting lenses, you are restricted to either the consumer grade AF-S lenses or the pro-grade AF-S lenses.

While this may not seem like a big difference, know that the pro AF-S lenses are very expensive - usually $1, 500 and up. Nikon also makes some very nice AF lenses that are also pro grade, and they start at $500 and up. While some claim these are "legacy" lenses, and I suppose a claim could be made about that, the fact still remains that Nikon still makes them, and they are perhaps the best lens bargain you can find.

2. The entry level cameras also lack Nikon's CLS (Creative Lighting System) remote capability - which basically means you can't directly control any of Nikon's speed lights wirelessly if you want to use them off-camera. This may not be important, but if you are in a studio environment, it would be. However, there's an optional SU-800 controller ($250) that will allow you to do this. The higher model cameras, such as the D7000 has this functionality built-in.

Why not the D5100? Now that you know the two major differences between the entry level and advanced level cameras, here is the reason I do not recommend the D5100. When compared to the D3100, the D5100 is not that much of a step up. So I see the decision point between a D3100 and D7000 - skipping the D5100 (which is in the middle).

So if you want an entry level camera, and don't see yourself getting into purchase of many lenses (or at least pro caliber lenses), and probably will never get into a studio envrionment, stay with the D3100. But if you want to go up a notch, jump to the D7000, as the D5100 is not enough of a jump in my view to warrant it.

In addition, the D7000, if you buy the "kit" gives you a more capable 18-105mm lens, while the D3100 and D5100 both come with a 18-55mm lens. While both lenses are great for beginners, the 18-105 is just that much better.

So in conclusion, while the D5100 is not a bad camera by any means, it is just not enough of a jump up from the D3100.So when you consider a Nikon DSLR, make the choice between the D3100 and D7000, depending on your budget and where you expect to be in 3 to 5 years.

I have Nikon D5100 before I switch to Nikon D90, I have never experienced any problems or issues about that D-SLR camera. It's a good entry-level DSLR. I switched to Nikon D90 because I want to own a professional level DSLR. Read reviews!